Reels for strip material

ABSTRACT

Reels for use in coiling and uncoiling metallic strip material, including a sleeve carried by and rotatable with a shaft of solid cross-section. Primary wedges are carried by the sleeve for longitudinal movement relative thereto, and a yoke is slidable along the shaft and effects movement of the primary wedges. Secondary wedges cooperate with the primary wedges and are moved in a radial direction by longitudinal movement of the primary wedges. Segments are carried by the secondary wedges and are moveable radially thereby.

United States Patent [151 3,666,194

Gosnell 1 May 30, 1972 [54] REELS FOR STRIP MATERIAL l,640,0l3 8/1927 Taylor ..242/72.l 2 598 398 5/1952 Liftell ..,242/72.1 [72] Inventor: Walter H. Gosnell, 741 West St., Niles,

Ohio 44446 234L745 6/1960 Pemne ..242/72.! [22] Filed: July 17, 1970 Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Assistant ExaminerEdward J. McCarthy [2]] Appl'No': 55907 Attorney-Michael Williams [52] US. Cl .242/72, 242/721, 242/783 [57] ABSTRACT Reels for use in coiling and uncoiling metallic strip material, including a sleeve carried by and rotatable with a shaft of solid cross-section. Primary wedges are carried by the sleeve for [56] References Cned longitudinal movement relative thereto, and a yoke is slidable UNITED STATES PATENTS along the shaft and effects movement of the primary wedges, Secondary wedges cooperate with the primary wedges and are 3,l07,875 10/1963 Gochenour ..242/72.l moved in a radial direction by longitudinal movement f the 2-594095 4/1952 Tonegrossa' -242/72-l primary wedges. Segments are carried by the secondary 3,1 l6,891 I/l964 Anderson ..242/72.I wedges and are moveame radially thereby. l,692,789 11/1928 Young ..242/78.3 2,941,744 6/l960 Russell "242/721 l5 Claims, 48 Drawing Figures PATENTEnmao I972 3,666,194

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sum 110F11 WALTER HGosNELL flaw/M BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY In winding and unwinding of strip steel, four types of reel heads are commonly used. These types are l) The closed faced head. In this type of head, a belt wrapper is used to wind the first convolution of strip thereon. (2) The closed face head with a gripper bar. This type is commonly used for strip steel of medium gauges where the strip cannot be wrapped tight enough around the mandrel by means of a belt wrapper. (3) The water-cooled closed face head, used for hot strip. (4) The payoff reel, where sufficient pressure must be exerted on the eye of the coil to prevent slippage when tension is applied to the strip.

In each of the above, means must be provided to expand and contract the mandrel. Insofar as I am aware, all heads heretofore used require a longitudinal hole in the supporting shaft to accommodate a push-pull rod which is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder to effect expansion and contraction of the head segments. In many such prior art devices, the rod-control cylinder is mounted on the head by means of a threaded adapter. The hole through the shaft undersirably reduces the section modulus and the rotational speed of the head is limited due to the centrifugal force of the rotating cylinder.

My invention provides construction which may be used in any of the four types of heads above mentioned, with little or no modification of parts. Accordingly, it is a principal object of my invention to provide new and improved reels for strip material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings accompanying this description and forming a part of this specification, there are shown, for purpose of illustration, embodiments which my invention may assume, and in these drawings:

FIG. I is broken plan view of a closed face head and sup porting base, illustrating an embodiment ofmy invention,

FIGS. 2 and 3 are longitudinal sectional views through the improved head, showing the latter in contracted and expanded relation, respectively,

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view, responding to the line 4-4 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the head in contracted relation,

FIGS. 6 through 23 illustrate parts used in the construction of FIGS. I through 5,

FIGS. 24 and 25 are sectional views similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, but showing magnetic means for attracting the leading end of the strip and for holding the first convolution thereof,

FIG. 26 is a longitudinal sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, but showing a gripper bar mechanism incorporated in the head,

FIG. 27 is a top plan view of the mandrel portion of the construction shown in FIG. 26,

FIGS. 28 and 29 are broken transverse sectional views of the head shown in FIG. 26, with the head in expanded and contracted relation, respectively,

FIGS. 30 through 39 illustrate parts used in the construction ofFIGS. 26 through 29,

FIG. 40 is a longitudinal sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, but showing an open faced head,

FIG. 41 is a broken end view, to enlarged scale, corresponding to the line 41-41 of FIG. 40,

FIG. 42 is a transverse sectional view, to enlarged scale, corresponding to the line 42-42 of FIG. 4

FIG. 43 is a view similar to FIG. 42, contracted relation,

FIG. 44 is a longitudinal sectional view, similar to but showing a water-cooled head,

FIG. 45 is a transverse sectional view, to enlarged scale, corresponding to the line 45-45 of FIG. 44,

FIG. 46 is a broken sectional view, to enlarged scale, corresponding to the line 4646 of FIG. 45, and

to enlarged scale, corshowing the head in FIG. 3,

FIGS. 47 and 48 are views of through 46.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference particularly to FIGS. I through 5, the reel mechanism therein disclosed is mounted on a base 50 which may be of any suitable form and adapted to be bolted to a support (not shown). The base 50 mounts a drive motor 51 which may be an electric motor of sufficient power for the purpose. A gear reducer 52 is also mounted on the base and is connected to the drive shaft of the motor by a coupling 53.

The shaft 54 of the reel head 55 is solid throughout its extent and therefore is capable of supporting heavy loads applied to the reel head. The shaft 54 is supported in cantilever manner in combination thrust and roller bearings 56 mounted on the base, and has direct connection to the output of the gear reducer 52.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, an anti-friction sleeve 57 is mounted for axial sliding movement on a portion 54.! ofthe shaft 54, and a bearing retainer 58 is secured to the sleeve for movement therewith. The retainer 58 secures the inner race 59 of a combination thrust and roller bearing 60. A thrust block 61 is disposed about the outer race of the bearing and is formed with an arcuate outer surface, as shown.

A yoke 62 is disposed about the thrust block 61 and has an inner arcuate surface mating with the outer arcuate surface of the latter, for a purpose to be disclosed. The yoke 62 is preferably formed in complementary halves, as seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, which are bolted or otherwise secured together. The yoke has two radially extending arms 62.1, 62.1, each terminating in a clevis 62.2 for receiving a pin 62.3 (see FIG. I) at the end of a piston rod 62.4. The rods are connected to pistons (not shown) within fluid cylinders 62.5 and the blank end of the latter are pivotally connected to respective pads 62.6 which are connected to the base 50.

The cylinders 62.5 are suitably connected to a source of fluid pressure by means of three-way valves (not shown) so that the respective piston rods may be extended or retracted from the cylinders, and held in either extended or retracted position. When fluid under pressure is admitted to the blank end of the cylinders 62.5, 62.5, the piston rods 62.4 are extended therefrom and drive the yoke 62 to the right, as viewed in the drawings, and the yoke is driven to the left when fluid under pressure is admitted to the rod end of the cylinders. The mating arcuate surfaces of the thrust block 61 and yoke 62 are generated about a center designated C in FIG. 1 so that the yoke may swing about the center C to equalize for any inequalities in the operation of the cylinders 62.5, 62.5.

The shaft portion 54.2 which supports the reel head 55 is solid since my invention makes it unnecessary to bore the shaft for an actuator rod, as is common in prior art constructions. The shaft portion 54.2 is slightly reduced in diameter to form a shoulder 54.5 between it and shaft portion 54.1, and a sleeve 70 is disposed in closely surrounding relation on the portion 54.2 and fixedly secured thereto, as by a key secured by Allen-head bolts 70.] (see FIGS. 4 and 5) passing through openings in the sleeve and threaded into openings in the shaft portion 54.2.

The sleeve 70 has three equidistantly spaced driving lugs 70.3 extending from its exterior surface, each lug being of a length less than the length of the sleeve 70, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6. The sleeve 70 also has three peripheral projections 70.4 located equidistantly between the keys 70.3, each projection being of a length equal to the length of the sleeve and each providing an elongated T-shaped slot.

Slidable longitudinally in each of the slots of the projections 70.4, is a primary wedge 71 which has a T-shaped head 71.! (see especially FIGS. 8 and 9) to closely but slidably fit within the T-shaped slots of the projections to thereby hold the parts against radial separation. Each primary wedge is formed with an attaching plate 71.2 which is bolted (see especially FIGS. 2 and 3) to the bearing retainer 58. Extending from the T- details shown in FIGS. 45

shaped head 71.] are a plurality of cams 71.3 (five shown in the disclosed embodiment) and each cam is of T-shaped crosssection.

Mounted on each primary wedge, for sliding movement therealong, is a secondary wedge 72 which is wedge-shaped in cross-section, as best seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 11, to provide oppositely inclined wedge surfaces 72.3 which, as herein shown, are at an angle of 60 to each other. Each secondary wedge has a saw-tooth longitudinal section, as seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and to provide cam recesses 72.1 mating with the cams 71.3 of a respective primary wedge, and each recess 72.1 is of T-shape to closely but slidably fit the T-shaped wedges 71.3 to hold the parts against radial separation which might be caused by centrifugal force. Each secondary wedge has a pair of longitudinally extending slides 72.2 and the end of each secondary wedge remote from the yoke 62 is formed with bolt holes 72.4 (see FIG. 11) for a purpose to appear.

Connected between adjoining secondary wedges are three segments 73, each of a length substantially equal to the length of the primary and secondary wedges and each having side recesses 73.1 into which slidably fit slides 72.2 of adjoining secondary wedges 72. Each segment has a radially extending recess 73.2 into which fits a key 70.3 of the sleeve 70. Thus, the segments 73 are positively driven by the sleeve 70 which in turn is positively driven by the shaft portion 54.2, to thereby relieve the primary and secondary wedges of the necessity of rotationally driving the segments. Each segment, as its outer end, is provided with threaded holes 73.3 as best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13. The exterior surface of each segment is arcuately shaped to combine with each other and the arcuate exterior shape 72.5 of each secondary wedge 72 to provide an unbroken circular surface (as seen in FIG. 4) when the reel head is expanded, and a broken circular surface of reduced diameter (as seen in FIG. 5) when the reel head is contracted.

At its free end, the shaft portion 54.2 has a circular undercut 54.6 and a disc-like extremity 54.7, and four threaded holes 54.8 extend inwardly of the free end of shaft portion 54.2 to receive cap-screws 54.9 which pass through holes in an end plate 74 to secure the latter to the shaft end. The end plate is formed in halves (see especially FIGS. and 21) so that the halves may be disposed in position about the shaft end. Each half of the end plate 74 is formed with a semi-circular lip 74.] which closely fits within the circular undercut 54.6, and a semi-circular recess 74.2, the two recesses combining to form a circular recess when the end plate is secured to the shaft end. The end plate 74 forms an abutment to prevent the primary wedges 71 from moving off the shaft free end. Three retainers 75 are provided, each having a pair of holes 75.1 (see especially FIGS. 22 and 23) to pass the shanks of cap screws 75.2 which are threaded into the screw holes 72.4 in the adjoining end of a secondary wedge 72. Each retainer 75 has an arcuate lip 75.3 which snugly fits within the circular recess 74.2 of the end plate 74 to hold the secondary wedge 72 against longitudinal movement while permitting radial movement thereof.

The construction thus far described provides a closed face reel head (see FIGS. 3 and 4) upon which strip steel may be belt-wound on the closed face reel head (in customary manner) and the head is rotated by means of the motor 51 and gear reducer 52 to wind the strip thereon. When the strip coil has been fully wound on the reel head, the latter is collapsed to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 to permit removal of the coil.

FIG. 3 shows the position of parts when the reel head is in expanded relation, and it will be noted that the yoke 62 has been moved to the right by action of the fluid cylinders 62.5. In this position, the cams 71.3 of the primary wedges 71 have been moved upwardly on the cam recesses 72.] of the secondary wedges 72 and, through wedging action between the sur faces 72.3 of the secondary wedges 72 with surfaces 73.4 of the segments 73, the latter are forced radially outwardly to closed-face relation. It is to be noted that the slides 72.2 of the secondary wedges remain at all times within the recesses 73.1

of the segments to hold the latter against radial outward movement which may be caused by centrifugal force.

To collapse the reel head to the position of parts shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the yoke 62 is moved to the left by the cylinders 62.5, and this action causes the primary wedges 71 to be drawn to the left, whereby the cams 71.3 ride down the cam recesses 72.1 of the secondary wedges 72 and the T connection therebetween pulls the secondary wedges 72 radially inwardly. Radial inward movement of the secondary wedges will consequently draw the segments 73 radially inwardly to effect collapsing of the reel head to the size shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. whereby the coil of steel may be removed therefrom.

FURTHER EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 24 and 25 show a reel head construction which is similar to the construction hereinbefore described and corresponding parts are identified by the same reference numerals. The reel head in this case differs in that each of the secondary wedges 72 is provided with a permanent magnet 76 which extends substantially the length of the wedge. Each magnet has an arcuate outer surface 76.1 which forms a smooth continuation of the arcuate surface of the respective secondary wedge. The magnets are closely received in a longitudinal recess 76.2 fonned in the outer surface of the wedges and may be held in place by means of a plurality of cap screws 76.3.

The construction of FIGS. 24 and 25 is well suited for lighter gauge metal strip 5 and avoids the use of a conventional belt wrapper for holding the first convolution of the strip onto the reel head, or the use of a gripper bar for receiving and holding the leading strip end. The leading end of the strip S is preferably given a curvature approximating that of the reel head and this leading end is then disposed adjacent the head, as shown in FIG. 24. As the head rotates in the direction of the arrow 76.4, the magnet 76 adjoining the leading strip end will attract the same and cause it to revolve with the head. and subsequent magnets will hold the leading end tightly to the reel head for proper winding action thereon. When the strip has been coiled on the reel head, the latter is collapsed, as shown in FIG. 25 and as hereinbefore described, and the magnets 76 will be forceably withdrawn from the coil to permit the latter to be removed from the head over the free end thereof.

FIGS. 26 through 39 show a reel head construction similar to that hereinbefore described but in this construction a gripper bar mechanism is provided for receiving and holding the leading end of the metal strip to be coiled on the head. To effect this purpose, one of the segments (segment 73a) is formed with a longitudinal slot 73.1a and the sleeve 70a is formed with a peripheral projection 70.44 which is similar, but in addition to the projections 70.4. The projection 70.4a fits closely within the slot 73.10 to provide a rotational driving relation sleeve 70a and the segment 73a.

The gripper bar assembly includes a secondary wedge 77 having a plurality of inclined cam recesses 77.] for cooperation with complementarily inclined surfaces of a primary wedge 71a which is similar to the wedge 71 hereinbefore described and is connected to the bearing retainer 58 in the same manner. The complementary cam surfaces, as before, have a T interconnection.

The secondary wedge 77 is provided with a longitudinally extending ledge 77.2, and a gripper 77.3 is slidably connected to the ledge by stripper bolts 77.4. Compression springs 77.5 are interposed between the ledge 77.2 and the bottoms of sockets 77.6 to urge the gripper 77.3 in a radially outward direction. The gripper 77.3 has an inclined edge 77.7 (see especially FIG. 37) for cooperation with a similarly inclined surface 78.1 of an insert 78, and the latter is rigidly connected to the segment 73a by cap screws 78.2 as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. The gripper 77.3 and the inserts 78 are each formed in longitudinal halves, and FIGS. 36 and 38 show one half of each, respectively. This construction is preferred, since the parts are made of hardened steel, and is easier to grind the parts true.

In the collapsed position of the reel head, as shown in FIG. 29, the three secondary wedges 72 and the secondary wedge 77 are retracted, through proper action of the yoke 62. Retraction of the secondary wedge 77 causes the inclined surface 77.7 of the gripper 77.3 to recede from the inclined surface 78.1 of the insert 78 to provide a longitudinally extending recess 78.2 (see FIG. 29) into which the leading end of the strip S is inserted. When the reel head is in its expanded relation, as shown in FIG. 28, the leading end of the strip S is clamped between the inclined surfaces 77.7 and 78.1, the springs 77.5 permitting relative movement between such surfaces and providing the clamping force. With the leading edge of the strip S thus clamped, the reel head may be rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 28 to wind the strip on the head, When the complete coil is formed, the reel head is collapsed, as seen in FIG. 29, and the coil may then be removed endwise from the head.

In the construction shown in FIGS. 40 through 43, my invention is shown as applied to an open face reel head which is ideally suited for use as a pay-off reel. The construction is generally the same as that described in FIGS. 1 through 13, and corresponding parts will be identified by the same reference numeral, but with the sutlix b" added. As best seen in FIGS. 42 and 43, four segments 7312 are utilized, and the outer surfaces of the secondary wedges 72b stop short of the periphery formed by the outer surfaces of the segments; however, because the outer surface of the secondary wedges is of less extent than heretofore, the unbroken peripheral surface is not detrimental.

The pay-off reel is shown in collapsed position in FIG. 43, so that a coil of steel strip may be disposed thereon in endwise manner. Then, by actuation of the yoke 62b to the right, as viewed in FIG. 40, the reel is expanded to the relation shown in FIG. 42 so that the outer surface of the segments 73b are expanded against the eye of the coil to firmly grip the latter. The reel may then be rotated to pay strip therefrom. Attention is directed to FIG. 40, wherein it will be noted that the ends of the primary wedges 71b do not abut the adjoining surface of the end plate 74b; rather, a space 80 is present when the reel is in expanded relation so that the fluid cylinders (like cylinders 62.5) will constantly urge the yoke 62b to the right to cause expansion of the segments 73b and thus permit the same to be constantly pressed against the eye of the coil to compensate for any relaxation of the coil as strip is paid therefrom.

Although my invention makes it possible to utilize a support shaft 54 ofsolid cross-section for maximum strength, it may be desirable to provide for water cooling of the reel, especially when hot strip is being coiled thereon. FIGS. 44 through 48 show a reel head that is water cooled and this head is substantically similar to that described in FIGS. 1 through 13 and similar reference characters will be used to designate similar parts, but with the suffix c" added.

As seen in FIG. 44, the shaft 54c is formed with a longitudinal bore 81 having a relatively small diameter and which is plugged at the free end of the shaft 54c as shown at 81.1. A pipe 82 extends into the bore 81 from the driven end of the reel head, and is a smaller outside diameter than the bore diameter for form a peripheral space 83 therewith. The pipe 82 and the space 83 may be connected to a distributor (not shown) of any conventional design to provide for circulation of cooling water.

A plurality of holes 84 (two herein shown) are drilled radially of each driving lug 70.30 and aligned holes 84.1 are drilled radially of the shaft 54c. The holes 84.] are formed with pipe threads 84.2 at their outer ends, and a stainless steel tube 84.3 is threaded therein. The driving lugs 70.30 are formed with a peripheral groove and an O-ring 84.4 is seated within such groove to seal against leakage past the opening in the respective segment 73c. It will be noted, as suggested by the dotted lines in FIGS. 44 and 48, that the O-ring 84.4 is stretched to loop shape to fit within the corresponding groove in the driving lug.

Each driving lug 70.30 has a threaded counterbore into which is threaded a gland nut 84.5 which compresses an O- ring 84.6 between its inner end and the bottom of the counter bore. It will thus be obvious that internal leakage of water is completely prevented, and deterioration of the interior parts of the reel head avoided.

Each segment 730 is formed with a chamber which is in communication with the open outer end of the tubes 84.3. The inner end of the pipe 82 is provided with an O-ring seal 9] between the two holes 84.1, so that cooling water may flow through the pipe and into the right hand end of the bore 81 in the shaft 540, and thence through the right hand holes 84.1 and tubes 84.3 into the chamber 90 of respective segments 730 to cool the latter. From the segment chambers, the water will flow through the left hand holes 84.] and tubes 84.3 to the space 83 and outwardly of the shaft 54c. The right hand holes 84.1 are larger in diameter than the left hand holes 84.] to in sure that the chamber 90 will be filled with cooling water.

lclaim:

l. A head for coiling and uncoiling metal strip, comprising:

a base,

a shalt rotatably carried by said base,

a sleeve about said shaft and connected thereto for rotation therewith but held against longitudinal movement relative thereto,

a plurality of primary wedges spaced around the periphery of said sleeve, each primary wedge having a sliding connection with said sleeve to permit longitudinal sliding thereof parallel to the axis of said sleeve while holding each primary wedge to said sleeve for rotation therewith, each primary wedge having cam surfaces on its outer face,

secondary wedges in number equal to said primary wedges and radially aligned with respective ones thereof, each secondary wedge having a sliding connection with a respective primary wedge and having cam surfaces on its inner face mating with the cam surfaces on the primary wedge, and each secondary wedge being held against l0ngitudinal movement, whereby when said primary wedges are moved longitudinally, the cam surfaces on respective primary and secondary wedges cooperate to move said secondary wedges in a radial direction, said secondary wedges being of a transverse dimension to leave spaces therebetween, and each having wedge surfaces on opposite side faces,

and segments in number equal to said secondary wedges and interposed therebetween, each segment being held against longitudinal movement and each having sliding connection with a pair of adjoining secondary wedges to prevent axial separation, and each segment having wedge surfaces on its opposite sides which mate with wedge surfaces of adjoining secondary wedges, whereby when said secondary wedges are moved radially by said primary wedges, the mating wedge surfaces of said secondary wedges and said segments cooperate to move the latter radially.

2. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve has longitudinally extending T-shaped slots spaced along its periphery, and said primary wedges have T-shaped heads slidably fitting with said slots to hold said primary wedges against radial separation from said sleeve.

3. The construction according to claim 2 wherein each of said primary wedges has a plurality of T-shaped cams spaced longitudinally therealong, and wherein each of said secondary wedges has T-shaped recesses slidably fitting with said cams to hold said secondary wedges against radial separation from said primary wedges.

4. The construction according to claim 3 wherein each of said segments has oppositely disposed longitudinally extending grooves, and wherein each of said secondary wedges has oppositely disposed longitudinally extending slide portions, the grooves of a segment slidably receiving slide portions of adjoining secondary wedges to hold said segments against radial separation from said secondary wedges.

5. The construction according to claim 4 wherein said sleeve has a plurality of longitudinally extending keys, each key fitting within a corresponding groove in a segment to impart rotational driving from said sleeve to said segments.

6. The construction according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said secondary wedges has a longitudinally extending magnet in its face to attract and hold the leading end of a metal strip.

7. The construction according to claim 6 wherein each of said secondary wedges has a longitudinally extending magnet in its face to hold the first convolution of the metal strip to the face of the head.

8. The construction according to claim 1 wherein one of said segments has a gripper bar mechanism for gripping the leading end of steel strip.

9. The construction according to claim 8 wherein the gripper mechanism comprises a further gripper wedge similar to but in addition to said primary wedges and a further secondary wedge carried by said segment and cooperating with said further wedge for radial movement, a gripper bar slidably carried by said further wedge for radial movement and spring pressed in a direction toward the periphery of the latter, and an insert fixedly carried by said segment, the leading end of said strip being clamped between confronting surfaces of said gripper bar and said insert.

10. The construction according to claim I wherein each segment is hollow to provide a chamber for cooling liquid.

11. The construction according to claim 10 wherein said shaft has a longitudinal bore and radial openings communicating with said bore and adapted to lead cooling liquid to the chamber of each segment.

12. The construction according to claim 11 wherein a pipe is disposed within said longitudinal bore in spaced relation with the peripheral surface defining the same, and wherein said sleeve has driving lugs, each slidably fitting within an opening in a segment, each driving lug having a conduit establishing a passage for liquid from a respective radial opening to said segment chamber, said radial openings and corresponding conduits being arranged in sets spaced longitudinally of said shaft, one set establishing liquid communication between said longitudinal bore and a segment chamber, and another set establishing liquid communication between the space between said pipe and the peripheral surface defining said longitudinal bore, and means for directing cooling liquid from said longitudinal bore through said one set to said segment chamber and from the latter through said other set to the space between said pipe and the peripheral surface defining said longitudinal bore.

13. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said shaft is solid in transverse section, and wherein an actuator is slidable along the periphery of said shaft and has a fixed connection with each of said primary wedges to effect longitudinal movement of the same.

14. The construction according to claim 13 wherein said actuator comprises a sleeve slidablelalong the periphery of said shaft, a yoke having legs extending from opposite surfaces of said shaft, a bearing between said sleeve and said yoke, a fluid cylinder connected to each leg of said yoke, said yoke and said sleeve having complementary arcuate surfaces struck along a radius centered within said shaft so that the legs of said yoke will effectively shift said sleeve even though unequally driven by said fluid cylinders.

15. A head for the coiling and uncoiling of metal strip, comprising:

a base,

a rotary shaft carried in cantilever manner by said base, said shaft being solid in transverse section,

mandrel means carried by said shaft and providing the peripheral face of said head, said mandrel means being sectional with each section movable radially of said shaft to provide a mandrel which may be expanded and collapsed, and operating means about the periphery of said shaft and slidable therealong, and having translatory connection with said mandrel means to translate sliding movement of said operating means to radial movement of said mandrel means sections and thereby effect expansion and collapse of said mandrel. 

1. A head for coiling and uncoiling metal strip, comprising: a base, a shaft rotatably carried by said base, a sleeve about said shaft and connected thereto for rotation therewith but held against longitudinal movement relative thereto, a plurality of primary wedges spaced around the periphery of said sleeve, each primary wedge having a sliding connection with said sleeve to permit longitudinal sliding thereof parallel to the axis of said sleeve while holding each primary wedge to said sleeve for rotation therewith, each primary wedge having cam surfaces on its outer face, secondary wedges in number equal to said primary wedges and radially aligned with respective ones thereof, each secondary wedge having a sliding connection with a respective primary wedge and having cam surfaces on its inner face mating with the cam surfaces on the primary wedge, and each secondary wedge being held against loNgitudinal movement, whereby when said primary wedges are moved longitudinally, the cam surfaces on respective primary and secondary wedges cooperate to move said secondary wedges in a radial direction, said secondary wedges being of a transverse dimension to leave spaces therebetween, and each having wedge surfaces on opposite side faces, and segments in number equal to said secondary wedges and interposed therebetween, each segment being held against longitudinal movement and each having sliding connection with a pair of adjoining secondary wedges to prevent axial separation, and each segment having wedge surfaces on its opposite sides which mate with wedge surfaces of adjoining secondary wedges, whereby when said secondary wedges are moved radially by said primary wedges, the mating wedge surfaces of said secondary wedges and said segments cooperate to move the latter radially.
 2. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve has longitudinally extending T-shaped slots spaced along its periphery, and said primary wedges have T-shaped heads slidably fitting with said slots to hold said primary wedges against radial separation from said sleeve.
 3. The construction according to claim 2 wherein each of said primary wedges has a plurality of T-shaped cams spaced longitudinally therealong, and wherein each of said secondary wedges has T-shaped recesses slidably fitting with said cams to hold said secondary wedges against radial separation from said primary wedges.
 4. The construction according to claim 3 wherein each of said segments has oppositely disposed longitudinally extending grooves, and wherein each of said secondary wedges has oppositely disposed longitudinally extending slide portions, the grooves of a segment slidably receiving slide portions of adjoining secondary wedges to hold said segments against radial separation from said secondary wedges.
 5. The construction according to claim 4 wherein said sleeve has a plurality of longitudinally extending keys, each key fitting within a corresponding groove in a segment to impart rotational driving from said sleeve to said segments.
 6. The construction according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said secondary wedges has a longitudinally extending magnet in its face to attract and hold the leading end of a metal strip.
 7. The construction according to claim 6 wherein each of said secondary wedges has a longitudinally extending magnet in its face to hold the first convolution of the metal strip to the face of the head.
 8. The construction according to claim 1 wherein one of said segments has a gripper bar mechanism for gripping the leading end of steel strip.
 9. The construction according to claim 8 wherein the gripper mechanism comprises a further gripper wedge similar to but in addition to said primary wedges and a further secondary wedge carried by said segment and cooperating with said further wedge for radial movement, a gripper bar slidably carried by said further wedge for radial movement and spring-pressed in a direction toward the periphery of the latter, and an insert fixedly carried by said segment, the leading end of said strip being clamped between confronting surfaces of said gripper bar and said insert.
 10. The construction according to claim 1 wherein each segment is hollow to provide a chamber for cooling liquid.
 11. The construction according to claim 10 wherein said shaft has a longitudinal bore and radial openings communicating with said bore and adapted to lead cooling liquid to the chamber of each segment.
 12. The construction according to claim 11 wherein a pipe is disposed within said longitudinal bore in spaced relation with the peripheral surface defining the same, and wherein said sleeve has driving lugs, each slidably fitting within an opening in a segment, each driving lug having a conduit establishing a passage for liquid from a respective radial opening to said segment chamber, said radial openings and corresponding conduits being arraNged in sets spaced longitudinally of said shaft, one set establishing liquid communication between said longitudinal bore and a segment chamber, and another set establishing liquid communication between the space between said pipe and the peripheral surface defining said longitudinal bore, and means for directing cooling liquid from said longitudinal bore through said one set to said segment chamber and from the latter through said other set to the space between said pipe and the peripheral surface defining said longitudinal bore.
 13. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said shaft is solid in transverse section, and wherein an actuator is slidable along the periphery of said shaft and has a fixed connection with each of said primary wedges to effect longitudinal movement of the same.
 14. The construction according to claim 13 wherein said actuator comprises a sleeve slidable along the periphery of said shaft, a yoke having legs extending from opposite surfaces of said shaft, a bearing between said sleeve and said yoke, a fluid cylinder connected to each leg of said yoke, said yoke and said sleeve having complementary arcuate surfaces struck along a radius centered within said shaft so that the legs of said yoke will effectively shift said sleeve even though unequally driven by said fluid cylinders.
 15. A head for the coiling and uncoiling of metal strip, comprising: a base, a rotary shaft carried in cantilever manner by said base, said shaft being solid in transverse section, mandrel means carried by said shaft and providing the peripheral face of said head, said mandrel means being sectional with each section movable radially of said shaft to provide a mandrel which may be expanded and collapsed, and operating means about the periphery of said shaft and slidable therealong, and having translatory connection with said mandrel means to translate sliding movement of said operating means to radial movement of said mandrel means sections and thereby effect expansion and collapse of said mandrel. 